Good afternoon all-
I'm taking my lunch hour to write today because I just need a break from work. Normally, I eat at my desk and try to get projects done but today, I just needed to write. The topic of discussion today is what happens to you when your plans don't go along just as you wanted them too.
Yesterday, as I sat in church alone, my entire family stayed in bed, I thought about being alone. I chose to go to church and others stayed behind, not exactly what I call part of my plan but then at least I went, right? Anyway, the sermon was one of the best I've heard in a long time. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get into it because the assistant pastor has absolutely no inflection in his voice. My mind began to wander on the things I wanted to accomplish, my family being home and sitting in church all alone. Whenever my mind begins to take that path, I really have to pray. Even the most mundane speakers can talk about Christ and something can get through, especially when you take the time to ask God for ears to hear.
Thank goodness I did that! It was like a light bulb went off in my head and I really saw Jesus. The pastor began with a story, basically talking about how he likes to write stories. He loves to develop the characters, the plot and the challenge and as his story unfolds, he has control of the outcome. Know anyone like that? Well we are all a little like that. He went on to say that when he was in a different country this year he desperately wanted to see someone saved. The problem is that no one was really taking the gospel to heart. They listened politely but crickets could be heard louder than the proclamation of Jesus.
We have all been down that road where we thought someone would come to Christ just because we wanted the satisfaction of seeing them saved. The problem then is, how do you feel when they aren't? He began to doubt the power behind the cross and wonder if he was doing this for nothing. When we proclaim Jesus are we shouting on deaf ears? Sometimes we are but does that mean we stop. Absolutely not. If the disciples had fallen into fear and stopped spreading the word, would you be saved today? We will never know because they taught, walked and sang about Jesus. They went around talking about His life, love and sacrifice. They forgot to care about their lives and began to live for Jesus.
As I thought about the story, I realize that I had been just like the pastor. It wasn't easy for me to be bold. I think that people feel something when they are with me but they don't know what that is. I was afraid of what they would think rather than loving them more. I also wanted to be able to know how it would end. When my son went to my father and began to really talk to him about Jesus, he felt led to do it. He even bought him a Bible. My dad went silent on him and didn't really provide feedback. My son was crushed but even at that he told me that I needed to take up the cross and speak to my dad. Because of his boldness, I did several times before I couldn't anymore. I watched as he slipped away and I promised never to be silent again.
When I started this blog and even now, I had no clue what God would do with it. I just knew I needed to obey. Sometimes obeying without knowing the outcome is difficult. I may never know who was blessed by this site or if they came to Jesus because they hit a certain day and the scripture ministered to them. None of that matters, except that I obey and speak frequently about Jesus.
I can't tell you that I never get scared of what someone thinks or if someone will criticize this site. Sometimes I do but then I think of Jesus and am in awe that He gave His life for me. I have been given a purpose and it really doesn't matter how or what I know as long as I demonstrated boldness in the face of my fears.
I hope this day finds you well and when you read this scripture you will know why I've thought about the sermon for the last 24 hours. God bless you ladies!
Acts 5:41-42 NIV
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
My prayer today:
O, Lord the words above have filled my heart with purpose. I've thought about Acts and the wonders of this chapter. We are sent from heaven for a purpose. Our course is set and we have no way to know how our lives will touch others. You are the reason our lives were set in motion. It is through You we are saved and by Your blood we are here. The apostles obedience drove them to be the men that they were. They walked and talked about You all their days and even after their deaths, Your story survives. It started in a little town and grew to almost every nation in the world. Many have died proclaiming Your name and many more will. Our lives are part of a painting and I pray that women, men and children will take up their call and proclaim that Jesus lives. I love to write and I love happy endings, so knowing and loving You is the greatest ending of any chapter ever written. Continue to write on our hearts, develop strong followers and help us all spread the good news to more ears, more hearts and more minds. Thank You for Your commitment to the sinner and for giving Your life so that we can have eternal life with You. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Monday, August 12, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
August 11, 2013
Good morning ladies-
After working myself to the bone yesterday, I woke up late today. Well or late for some but 7 am is late for me. A birthday has come and gone and a shower went in a blink of an eye. What am I to do now?
I'm sure I will find something to keep me occupied. Anyway, I had some great conversations with my kids last night about the future, when is old, old and what their studying in the Bible. To date, Austin and Saras are reading in Psalms. As you know if you read this blog it is one of my favorite places in scripture. The words of David and the psalmists penetrate deep within my soul. I have found myself reading the words over and over trying to find God in the midst of my sorrow.
Every time I walk through the passages of old I find something that gives me peace. I guess I like knowing that someone had the same struggles I do. I long for my readers to fall in love with the words of old. God intended every word to minister to us, guide us and grow us. Scripture is the water and food to our soul. If you feel lonely, lost, confused or fearful, you need to entrench yourself into His Holy Word. All life begins by being saved and every walk is grown through reading the powerful pages of His word.
At the precipice of life, when your contemplating death, what do you want to be your last words here on earth? For me, I pray that it will be let Your kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven. Life holds us to the standard of our flesh. Heaven is all about glorifying God. The streets of Gold are for His sight, the angels singing are for His ears and the children's joy is for His heart. All was made for Him.
I hope you have spent time with Him lately. I got so busy for awhile that my writing took a back seat, which meant my walk with Him every morning did too. That's a mistake we make when we think being apart from Him will be okay. It never is. He is our food and light. I love Him with all my heart and the more I seek Him, the more He's there.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Psalm 26:6 NIV
Such is the generation of those that seek Him, who seek His face, God of Jacob.
Psalm 119:2 NIV
Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart--
My prayer:
O, Lord all I ask today is that the women all over the world seek Your face! Bring us to You and make us known as women that love You! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
After working myself to the bone yesterday, I woke up late today. Well or late for some but 7 am is late for me. A birthday has come and gone and a shower went in a blink of an eye. What am I to do now?
I'm sure I will find something to keep me occupied. Anyway, I had some great conversations with my kids last night about the future, when is old, old and what their studying in the Bible. To date, Austin and Saras are reading in Psalms. As you know if you read this blog it is one of my favorite places in scripture. The words of David and the psalmists penetrate deep within my soul. I have found myself reading the words over and over trying to find God in the midst of my sorrow.
Every time I walk through the passages of old I find something that gives me peace. I guess I like knowing that someone had the same struggles I do. I long for my readers to fall in love with the words of old. God intended every word to minister to us, guide us and grow us. Scripture is the water and food to our soul. If you feel lonely, lost, confused or fearful, you need to entrench yourself into His Holy Word. All life begins by being saved and every walk is grown through reading the powerful pages of His word.
At the precipice of life, when your contemplating death, what do you want to be your last words here on earth? For me, I pray that it will be let Your kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven. Life holds us to the standard of our flesh. Heaven is all about glorifying God. The streets of Gold are for His sight, the angels singing are for His ears and the children's joy is for His heart. All was made for Him.
I hope you have spent time with Him lately. I got so busy for awhile that my writing took a back seat, which meant my walk with Him every morning did too. That's a mistake we make when we think being apart from Him will be okay. It never is. He is our food and light. I love Him with all my heart and the more I seek Him, the more He's there.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Psalm 26:6 NIV
Such is the generation of those that seek Him, who seek His face, God of Jacob.
Psalm 119:2 NIV
Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart--
My prayer:
O, Lord all I ask today is that the women all over the world seek Your face! Bring us to You and make us known as women that love You! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, August 10, 2013
August 10, 2013
Good morning my sisters-
Well, I'm up at the crack of dawn, 5:30 am to be exact, because I have a million things to do. My sister-in-law is having a baby girl in just a few weeks. I'm decorating the house pink, which is unique because the boys way outnumber the girls in this family. The double stroller is bought and the food will be done by 9:30. I still have to go to the grocery store and pick up more things but for the most part that will be pretty easy.
I've got boys spending the night, so good thing I don't need the downstairs and the cakes should arrive by 10:30. My co-worker and his wife made them and their dog ate half of one when they stepped out of the room. Soon my house will be full of women, laughing and having a great time. We will all be in anticipation of baby Willis's birthday. It's a time of celebration and awe at what God has done!
Every child that is born is special. A child born is a soldier for God's army. He will choose His leaders and His soldiers way before they come out of the womb. Just like John the Baptist was chosen to talk of the one before Him, many will come and walk this earth proclaiming Christ.
In our own family, a true blessing came on Austin's birthday. Austin's girlfriends family welcomed little Isaac yesterday at 7.5 pounds and a week late. His mom is the tiniest little thing you can imagine. Her stomach looked like an alien had nested for nine months. Of course, it wasn't an alien; it was a child of God. The most amazing thing is the joy that his birth brought. Saras was grinning from ear to ear and Austin sat across the table beaming that his birthday was being shared with another little human being and it just happens to be Saras and her families great gift. My gift was him.
As I sat at the table yesterday, I looked at my sons across the table and remembered every moment of the pregnancy (not that I was a great pregnant person), every hour I was up and every moment of anticipation until they laid in my arms. I wonder if God is anticipating things too. What will His children do as He sets them on this earth? Will they choose Him or follow their own evil? Of course, He knows all but He has given us those feelings, obviously cherishes relationships or we would be robots, so the anticipation has to be there, right? I guess that's a question for when I'm at His feet but for now, I love to think that God is in heaven, watching over these miracles and anticipating the great work they will do.
In the quiet, I cherish the hours I have had to raise my family. It hasn't been easy and I've made lots of mistakes. The ideals I brought to the table of motherhood were washed away as I got up every two hours for 4 years. Flash forward 23 years and I wish I could say that I did everything right but that would surely be a lie. I have done the best I could and in the end, if my sons choose to follow Christ all their days, I have done a good job. There are things I had no control over, like needing to work, not being here sometimes and maybe not making them do chores as much as I should have. As I look upon the time, I find that they had great grandparents that watched over them, their needs were met and they have been very loved. I would give my life for my kids, just like Jesus, who contemplated His life, He gave it all for the ones He loved. I will never understand how a man did that. We definitely didn't deserve His sacrifice. If I chose to put myself in front of my children to protect them, it would be instinct. Jesus put Himself in harms way because He knew His life and death would bring forth victory!
One baby, one savior! One event that changed the course of you and me. Without the birth and death of Jesus there would be nothing for me to write. His birth was a great joy for Mary and Joseph and His death was a great sorrow. His love for us is more than anything we will ever fathom. I love my sons but He loved a world of sinful, underserving people. I cherish my salvation and thank Him every time He brings another soldier into His army. Every day, babies are being born. Take a moment today and pray for them. Ask the Lord to guide their parents, bring forth people in their lives that will guide them toward Christ and for surrender of will and sins. They look innocent but soon they will turn into selfish, sinful people. Remember we were once there.
Thank You to all my sisters all over the world that read this blog. I love looking at the stats counter and seeing women jumping on everywhere. If you like these posts, please start commenting. The support helps me. Also, if you have a need, please send a request. I love praying for people and their circumstances. I might not be where you are but my prayer is sent to the Chief of staff and I know He has your back. God bless!!!
Jeremiah1:5 NIV
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Psalm 51:6 NIV
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, today is a very special day. I will hold a shower for a wonderful woman who loves and honors You. This year has been very tough for her. The loss of her mother from suicide has taken a toll on her and her sister. Today, I ask that the things that I have planned for this shower will have meaning. I pray for wisdom as I pray over this child and mother. I pray that she would be strong through the birth of her child and I pray that the people you have surrounded her with will stand firm and help her. She will have lots of memories today and as we recant our stories of how special she is and how much her mother loved her and her sister, I pray that they will feel your presence. I also pray that the women that aren't saved at this event will feel your presence and that they will eventually come to You. Give me wisdom today as I pray and seek You. I don't just want it to be about gifts and food. I want it to be a holy fellowship, honoring You and demonstrating the love You have for us all. Thank You for every mother in the world. I just pray that You will guide us all to be caretakers of the next generations. The world is evil with many temptations. Men are being pulled into sin and women are raising children alone. You are the Father of this Universe, be with us and guide our steps toward being righteous women that love You. Let anger and sin fall at our feet and on our lips may we praise Your holy name. Thanks again for the blessings you bestow on us, we promise to love and guide the bundles of joy you put in our arms. With all my love, devotion and praise, You are the only one I need. May the promise of the next generation bring song to our mouths and praise to our lips. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Well, I'm up at the crack of dawn, 5:30 am to be exact, because I have a million things to do. My sister-in-law is having a baby girl in just a few weeks. I'm decorating the house pink, which is unique because the boys way outnumber the girls in this family. The double stroller is bought and the food will be done by 9:30. I still have to go to the grocery store and pick up more things but for the most part that will be pretty easy.
I've got boys spending the night, so good thing I don't need the downstairs and the cakes should arrive by 10:30. My co-worker and his wife made them and their dog ate half of one when they stepped out of the room. Soon my house will be full of women, laughing and having a great time. We will all be in anticipation of baby Willis's birthday. It's a time of celebration and awe at what God has done!
Every child that is born is special. A child born is a soldier for God's army. He will choose His leaders and His soldiers way before they come out of the womb. Just like John the Baptist was chosen to talk of the one before Him, many will come and walk this earth proclaiming Christ.
In our own family, a true blessing came on Austin's birthday. Austin's girlfriends family welcomed little Isaac yesterday at 7.5 pounds and a week late. His mom is the tiniest little thing you can imagine. Her stomach looked like an alien had nested for nine months. Of course, it wasn't an alien; it was a child of God. The most amazing thing is the joy that his birth brought. Saras was grinning from ear to ear and Austin sat across the table beaming that his birthday was being shared with another little human being and it just happens to be Saras and her families great gift. My gift was him.
As I sat at the table yesterday, I looked at my sons across the table and remembered every moment of the pregnancy (not that I was a great pregnant person), every hour I was up and every moment of anticipation until they laid in my arms. I wonder if God is anticipating things too. What will His children do as He sets them on this earth? Will they choose Him or follow their own evil? Of course, He knows all but He has given us those feelings, obviously cherishes relationships or we would be robots, so the anticipation has to be there, right? I guess that's a question for when I'm at His feet but for now, I love to think that God is in heaven, watching over these miracles and anticipating the great work they will do.
In the quiet, I cherish the hours I have had to raise my family. It hasn't been easy and I've made lots of mistakes. The ideals I brought to the table of motherhood were washed away as I got up every two hours for 4 years. Flash forward 23 years and I wish I could say that I did everything right but that would surely be a lie. I have done the best I could and in the end, if my sons choose to follow Christ all their days, I have done a good job. There are things I had no control over, like needing to work, not being here sometimes and maybe not making them do chores as much as I should have. As I look upon the time, I find that they had great grandparents that watched over them, their needs were met and they have been very loved. I would give my life for my kids, just like Jesus, who contemplated His life, He gave it all for the ones He loved. I will never understand how a man did that. We definitely didn't deserve His sacrifice. If I chose to put myself in front of my children to protect them, it would be instinct. Jesus put Himself in harms way because He knew His life and death would bring forth victory!
One baby, one savior! One event that changed the course of you and me. Without the birth and death of Jesus there would be nothing for me to write. His birth was a great joy for Mary and Joseph and His death was a great sorrow. His love for us is more than anything we will ever fathom. I love my sons but He loved a world of sinful, underserving people. I cherish my salvation and thank Him every time He brings another soldier into His army. Every day, babies are being born. Take a moment today and pray for them. Ask the Lord to guide their parents, bring forth people in their lives that will guide them toward Christ and for surrender of will and sins. They look innocent but soon they will turn into selfish, sinful people. Remember we were once there.
Thank You to all my sisters all over the world that read this blog. I love looking at the stats counter and seeing women jumping on everywhere. If you like these posts, please start commenting. The support helps me. Also, if you have a need, please send a request. I love praying for people and their circumstances. I might not be where you are but my prayer is sent to the Chief of staff and I know He has your back. God bless!!!
Jeremiah1:5 NIV
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Psalm 51:6 NIV
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, today is a very special day. I will hold a shower for a wonderful woman who loves and honors You. This year has been very tough for her. The loss of her mother from suicide has taken a toll on her and her sister. Today, I ask that the things that I have planned for this shower will have meaning. I pray for wisdom as I pray over this child and mother. I pray that she would be strong through the birth of her child and I pray that the people you have surrounded her with will stand firm and help her. She will have lots of memories today and as we recant our stories of how special she is and how much her mother loved her and her sister, I pray that they will feel your presence. I also pray that the women that aren't saved at this event will feel your presence and that they will eventually come to You. Give me wisdom today as I pray and seek You. I don't just want it to be about gifts and food. I want it to be a holy fellowship, honoring You and demonstrating the love You have for us all. Thank You for every mother in the world. I just pray that You will guide us all to be caretakers of the next generations. The world is evil with many temptations. Men are being pulled into sin and women are raising children alone. You are the Father of this Universe, be with us and guide our steps toward being righteous women that love You. Let anger and sin fall at our feet and on our lips may we praise Your holy name. Thanks again for the blessings you bestow on us, we promise to love and guide the bundles of joy you put in our arms. With all my love, devotion and praise, You are the only one I need. May the promise of the next generation bring song to our mouths and praise to our lips. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Friday, August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013
Good morning all-
God is good! Today is a very special day for my family. It's the celebration of my oldest son's birthday. He is 23 years old and on top of it; his age represents the age I was when I found out I carried him. Time flies and with it comes hardship, pain, sorrow, joy and laughter. I have had all of those through my years and on the day of his birth; I never thought about the pain. I only thought about the joy, the laughter and the future.
I am very blessed. He came to Christ young and has followed a path very few do. As a matter of fact, he is very rare. He believes in courtship, honesty, love, commitment and saving himself for the one. He is amazing. In today's world, he would be considered a weak man but he doesn't follow the rules of the world; He follows God.
I have watched him grow from a shy, recluse to a man that is working at one of the leading aircraft plants in the US. I have seen him through the loss of his favorite uncle and of his unbelievable grandparents. I have seen him dedicate his life to his younger brother, cousins and friends. I have watched him give of his time just because he loves so much. He is sacrificial in many ways and that's just one of the beautiful things about my son.
His life hasn't been easy. Unfortunately, he and my husband struggle to have any kind of relationship. It is something I'm praying over and hoping God will heal in time. His loss has been great and often, I think he has put obstacles in his way because of his relationship with his father. My prayer is that he will be the man he wants to be and not carry the baggage of the relationship he so desires. Christ has filled a huge gap in his life and so have the men in our church but a father's love a son will always seek. His father loves him but it's sometimes hard to see.
For all the loss and all the heartache, my son holds the key to this life, Jesus. He walks with Him and talks with Him. He has memorized more Scripture in one year than some adults do in a lifetime. He's working to become God's man and in the future he will become a husband and a father. I hope that he will continue on with the principles in the Bible and find God, speak of God and live for God.
I, myself have mixed feelings about this year. He's grown and soon will be finishing college, moving away and working on being a good husband and father. The times we've had together will be a memory and when I do see him it will be with everyone. I treasure the moments when we are alone and we can talk about his heart. Someday, his heart will only be shared with his wife and I will remember how precious our hours and days were together. My heart hurts but in the end my heart is full of love and laughter and I will get to experience seeing him grow the way God intended.
I have been blessed with two beautiful boys and because they exist I have been a better woman. My treasure does not lie in them but the blessings they have given me are more numerous than numbers. If I could have asked God for a son, I could never imagined the gift I have now. He has been the foundation in this family, the mentor to his brother and cousins and the greatest gift I've ever gotten. My prayer today is for all children to grow from caterpillars to butterflies and as they grow, we will watch the wonders they find in Jesus.
Time flies my sisters and years roll by. Be grateful for the moments in your life. They are the memories that you can treasure. I am so grateful that God bestowed on me my sons and I am especially lucky for my little man, all grown up and now 23. I pray you are having a great day, praising Jesus and looking at the butterflies in your life.
Isaiah 7:14 NIV:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
My prayer:
O, Lord, My Father, thank You for the gift of my sons. If I could have painted them, I couldn't have brought the beauty to fruition the way You have. In my womb, all I knew was an empty canvas. But one day, You chose to bring my oldest into this world and the beauty of that day is forever a memory. You have watched over him, nurtured him and made him Your man. My prayer for him is that You will continue to grow Him, fill Him and help Him as He walks with You. I never deserved the gifts that were given to me and I have often made mistakes. But when I look upon them, I know that they are Yours more than they are mine. Teach them Your ways and help me let go as the time draws near. Be with my sisters, all over the world as they struggle with raising Your army. Give them and me wisdom to teach and nurture Your people. Fill us with memories we can treasure and remind us that these children are Yours and we just have them for awhile. Thank You for my children and for making me a mother at such a young age. I will never forget feeling him for the first time or holding him in my arms. He has been a true blessing to this family and I will forever be grateful that You made him mine. Take care of the next generation, Lord, be with us as we continue on the path of righteousness. We need You, forgive us of our sins and bring us to the Kingdom. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow....
God is good! Today is a very special day for my family. It's the celebration of my oldest son's birthday. He is 23 years old and on top of it; his age represents the age I was when I found out I carried him. Time flies and with it comes hardship, pain, sorrow, joy and laughter. I have had all of those through my years and on the day of his birth; I never thought about the pain. I only thought about the joy, the laughter and the future.
I am very blessed. He came to Christ young and has followed a path very few do. As a matter of fact, he is very rare. He believes in courtship, honesty, love, commitment and saving himself for the one. He is amazing. In today's world, he would be considered a weak man but he doesn't follow the rules of the world; He follows God.
I have watched him grow from a shy, recluse to a man that is working at one of the leading aircraft plants in the US. I have seen him through the loss of his favorite uncle and of his unbelievable grandparents. I have seen him dedicate his life to his younger brother, cousins and friends. I have watched him give of his time just because he loves so much. He is sacrificial in many ways and that's just one of the beautiful things about my son.
His life hasn't been easy. Unfortunately, he and my husband struggle to have any kind of relationship. It is something I'm praying over and hoping God will heal in time. His loss has been great and often, I think he has put obstacles in his way because of his relationship with his father. My prayer is that he will be the man he wants to be and not carry the baggage of the relationship he so desires. Christ has filled a huge gap in his life and so have the men in our church but a father's love a son will always seek. His father loves him but it's sometimes hard to see.
For all the loss and all the heartache, my son holds the key to this life, Jesus. He walks with Him and talks with Him. He has memorized more Scripture in one year than some adults do in a lifetime. He's working to become God's man and in the future he will become a husband and a father. I hope that he will continue on with the principles in the Bible and find God, speak of God and live for God.
I, myself have mixed feelings about this year. He's grown and soon will be finishing college, moving away and working on being a good husband and father. The times we've had together will be a memory and when I do see him it will be with everyone. I treasure the moments when we are alone and we can talk about his heart. Someday, his heart will only be shared with his wife and I will remember how precious our hours and days were together. My heart hurts but in the end my heart is full of love and laughter and I will get to experience seeing him grow the way God intended.
I have been blessed with two beautiful boys and because they exist I have been a better woman. My treasure does not lie in them but the blessings they have given me are more numerous than numbers. If I could have asked God for a son, I could never imagined the gift I have now. He has been the foundation in this family, the mentor to his brother and cousins and the greatest gift I've ever gotten. My prayer today is for all children to grow from caterpillars to butterflies and as they grow, we will watch the wonders they find in Jesus.
Time flies my sisters and years roll by. Be grateful for the moments in your life. They are the memories that you can treasure. I am so grateful that God bestowed on me my sons and I am especially lucky for my little man, all grown up and now 23. I pray you are having a great day, praising Jesus and looking at the butterflies in your life.
Isaiah 7:14 NIV:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
My prayer:
O, Lord, My Father, thank You for the gift of my sons. If I could have painted them, I couldn't have brought the beauty to fruition the way You have. In my womb, all I knew was an empty canvas. But one day, You chose to bring my oldest into this world and the beauty of that day is forever a memory. You have watched over him, nurtured him and made him Your man. My prayer for him is that You will continue to grow Him, fill Him and help Him as He walks with You. I never deserved the gifts that were given to me and I have often made mistakes. But when I look upon them, I know that they are Yours more than they are mine. Teach them Your ways and help me let go as the time draws near. Be with my sisters, all over the world as they struggle with raising Your army. Give them and me wisdom to teach and nurture Your people. Fill us with memories we can treasure and remind us that these children are Yours and we just have them for awhile. Thank You for my children and for making me a mother at such a young age. I will never forget feeling him for the first time or holding him in my arms. He has been a true blessing to this family and I will forever be grateful that You made him mine. Take care of the next generation, Lord, be with us as we continue on the path of righteousness. We need You, forgive us of our sins and bring us to the Kingdom. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow....
Thursday, August 8, 2013
August 8, 2013
Good morning all-
I just bought my sister-in-law a stroller for her baby girl that will arrive anytime. It is so much fun to shop and love other people. I am not a big shopper and don't really like to spend money but I do like to give to people and see the joy on their faces.
I can only imagine how God feels as He provides us with food, water and shelter. What a beautiful gift we've been given. Often, we don't appreciate the many gifts we have. If you've ever worked three jobs just to make your bills or have tried to stretch a dollar, euro or yen, ten times; then you understand the value of money. It doesn't come easily but the US is full of people that have a lot, more than other countries and yet, we don't worship our Lord and thank Him for the abundance.
As I left work today, I saw a man on the side of the road with a sign. I have seen him for the past couple of days. I don't dare stop and give him any money because I don't know if it would be safe but I pray for him and ask God to provide. I often find myself thinking about people less fortunate than me. I have been blessed beyond belief. I have a home over my head, a car to drive, and food to eat. I am employed so I have healthcare. Basically, the Lord has provided every needed thing. And yet, I often wonder if I give Him the credit for my provision. He does provide and I really don't deserve that provision but He does it anyway. That doesn't mean I have everything I want but it does mean He has been gracious on my life.
There are missionaries all over the world that live on very little. Many have food and shelter but security, health insurance and other things I take for granted are not available. They seek their way by asking Christ and they believe that He will provide. The lives we live here are so different than in countries where running water is still a difficult task. I also think about my children and how great their life has been. My hope is that they will know that God provides and that they will teach their children that all things are God's and we must thank Him for His gifts.
Now, I realize that water is a gift. We have had constant rain for about two weeks. This land has been dry for over 2 years with very little water coming from the heavens. But for now, our rivers are up and our water supply has been re-established. The birds are once again singing and praising God and everyone in Kansas is relieved.
What would we do without water? We would perish. Rain, like a roof over our heads is a provision. Without water the land dries up, the animals become ill and crops do not grow. We need God to provide everything for humankind to flourish and it's our jobs to remind the next generation that He is life!
I hope today finds you well and I hope that you have thought about Jesus these last few days. I have and I am so thankful for the provisions He has bestowed on my life. I pray that He would feed nations, provide shelter to the homeless and save the sinners. Without Him, we are like the desert. But with Him, we are a flowing river. Take care my sisters and carry His torch. Tell the next generation how abundant our Lord provides and watch the smiles as people find joy in His arms.
Psalm 32:8 NIV:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I desire Your counsel above all others. I seek Your advise and ask that You would continue to mold me into the woman I need to be. I am Your servant! As I look upon today, I ask that Your loving eye would be on me and all my sisters. We live in different places, different cultures and speak different languages but we carry a common theme, loving You. Be with us today as we try to seek You for our every need. Help us to surrender ourselves to the only God! Give us strength and wisdom to conquer our fears and help us to be successful in every battle. The war is waging between self-sufficiency and our Provider. Today, I just want to thank You for providing the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the shelter from the harshness of the weather. Penetrate the countries that don't know You and bring those things upon their lands. Finally, I ask that all Christians would stand up and praise Your name today. That we would recognize that every form of money, every shelter, every business, and every need is supplied by You. Thank You for the blessings You have bestowed on my life. Thank You for the love You have shown me when I didn't deserve it and thank You for my sisters who love You as much as I do. May we prosper and multiply so that the next generations will hear Your name and know that You are God. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I just bought my sister-in-law a stroller for her baby girl that will arrive anytime. It is so much fun to shop and love other people. I am not a big shopper and don't really like to spend money but I do like to give to people and see the joy on their faces.
I can only imagine how God feels as He provides us with food, water and shelter. What a beautiful gift we've been given. Often, we don't appreciate the many gifts we have. If you've ever worked three jobs just to make your bills or have tried to stretch a dollar, euro or yen, ten times; then you understand the value of money. It doesn't come easily but the US is full of people that have a lot, more than other countries and yet, we don't worship our Lord and thank Him for the abundance.
As I left work today, I saw a man on the side of the road with a sign. I have seen him for the past couple of days. I don't dare stop and give him any money because I don't know if it would be safe but I pray for him and ask God to provide. I often find myself thinking about people less fortunate than me. I have been blessed beyond belief. I have a home over my head, a car to drive, and food to eat. I am employed so I have healthcare. Basically, the Lord has provided every needed thing. And yet, I often wonder if I give Him the credit for my provision. He does provide and I really don't deserve that provision but He does it anyway. That doesn't mean I have everything I want but it does mean He has been gracious on my life.
There are missionaries all over the world that live on very little. Many have food and shelter but security, health insurance and other things I take for granted are not available. They seek their way by asking Christ and they believe that He will provide. The lives we live here are so different than in countries where running water is still a difficult task. I also think about my children and how great their life has been. My hope is that they will know that God provides and that they will teach their children that all things are God's and we must thank Him for His gifts.
Now, I realize that water is a gift. We have had constant rain for about two weeks. This land has been dry for over 2 years with very little water coming from the heavens. But for now, our rivers are up and our water supply has been re-established. The birds are once again singing and praising God and everyone in Kansas is relieved.
What would we do without water? We would perish. Rain, like a roof over our heads is a provision. Without water the land dries up, the animals become ill and crops do not grow. We need God to provide everything for humankind to flourish and it's our jobs to remind the next generation that He is life!
I hope today finds you well and I hope that you have thought about Jesus these last few days. I have and I am so thankful for the provisions He has bestowed on my life. I pray that He would feed nations, provide shelter to the homeless and save the sinners. Without Him, we are like the desert. But with Him, we are a flowing river. Take care my sisters and carry His torch. Tell the next generation how abundant our Lord provides and watch the smiles as people find joy in His arms.
Psalm 32:8 NIV:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I desire Your counsel above all others. I seek Your advise and ask that You would continue to mold me into the woman I need to be. I am Your servant! As I look upon today, I ask that Your loving eye would be on me and all my sisters. We live in different places, different cultures and speak different languages but we carry a common theme, loving You. Be with us today as we try to seek You for our every need. Help us to surrender ourselves to the only God! Give us strength and wisdom to conquer our fears and help us to be successful in every battle. The war is waging between self-sufficiency and our Provider. Today, I just want to thank You for providing the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the shelter from the harshness of the weather. Penetrate the countries that don't know You and bring those things upon their lands. Finally, I ask that all Christians would stand up and praise Your name today. That we would recognize that every form of money, every shelter, every business, and every need is supplied by You. Thank You for the blessings You have bestowed on my life. Thank You for the love You have shown me when I didn't deserve it and thank You for my sisters who love You as much as I do. May we prosper and multiply so that the next generations will hear Your name and know that You are God. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
August 7, 2013
Good morning all-
I woke up this morning with a million things running through my mind. Yesterday, I wrote about thinking about God on a more regular basis, putting behind the minutia of life and really focusing on Him. Of course, I should wake up to think about all of it, instead of what I spoke of yesterday.
I asked lots of questions yesterday that none of us really have concrete answers too. We know that God exists, we believe He can heal and we know that someday He will return, beyond that, we know very little. Any wisdom, any idea, and every solution comes from Him. I had a great idea at work yesterday and I know it came from Him. I must look for Him in the darkness and the light. I must follow His word and seek Him. I must trust Him for all things and I must believe He is real!
I know that we all question from time to time what God is doing. I think it's part of who we are. I just wonder why we question it so much. I have read about the Israelites over and over again. I have read the New Testament and wondered how in the world they would have denied Christ and then, I sit and look at my life and all the questions I have asked and the conclusion is clear; we are all sinners. We want to know what God knows and we want to know the future. Guess what? That's never going to happen. We will know what we need to today.
I find myself feeling trapped on all sides. Thinking that I am the only one that can save so many and then I remember the words of Moses and David and realize that even with God on their side, they questioned, they pleaded and they doubted. No man is perfect and therefore, we must strive to understand who God is and what He expects from us.
When David was young, he, not an army, took down a giant. Then as he grew up, he was raised to love the Lord, to follow Him and to be king. As he aged, many trials came and I wonder how far slaying the giant was from his mind. You can read his prayers, see his turmoil and feel his loneliness and pain. He was a hunted man, living in caves, wondering if today would be his last. This very brave young man became a symbol of trial and tribulation and in the end he was said to have a heart for God.
I know that we struggle and I know that some of you live in places and circumstances that I can't even fathom. I'm sure you have cried out, hit something and wished for a day to be over. I've been there. I know how it feels to wonder where God is and to watch for a miracle only to have the sun rise and everything is the same. We can't change what's before us but we can prepare our hearts to be with Jesus, to call upon Him and to believe He is near.
There are things I pray for every day. I pray that I will never lose my children before I die. I pray for the lost and the lonely. I ask God to feed nations, protect women and bring about a revival. I pray that this land that we live in would begin to turn toward God and that people would see the need for Jesus. I pray for my brother's salvation and I pray that many would hear the word of God.
I pray continually and yet, I will never know what those prayers have done. I may meet you on a plane or in a different country and I will see you and pray for you. I watch the homeless and I ask God to care for them. I see birds flying and am reminded of the power of Christ. I know He exists and I believe it. What I will never know is what He's doing in this moment, have I done enough or what things He will say to me in the end. My goal is only to seek Him and to find Him. And as I do that my hope is that my faith will become boundless and I will run this race well.
Today is the 366 post on this blog. In the beginning I had no way to know what God would do with it. I still don't. I can tell you that every day that I write is a day I get closer to Jesus. I pray that you are blessed by the words but I have been blessed by God and at the end of my life; I will thank Him for giving me the strength to sit and write.
So today, remember whatever enemy is on your back, give it to Jesus. You may be feeling crushed, defeated and sad but know that Jesus knows and He is with you. Our greatest gift was His death. He crushed our enemy and someday He will stomp on Him and the pain of this world will go away. In the meantime, be faithful to His word, pray for the lost and ask God to make you women He can call upon. The highlight of my life is not the success I have in business; it's sitting here writing and praising my Maker! May God bless and keep you today! You are precious in His sight!
Psalm 5:3 NIV:
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV:
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I will never be able to thank You for the times You have cared for me. As I look upon today, I know there will be challenges. All I ask is that You are near to me and that Your words would penetrate my heart and mind. Help me capture the essence of You and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I am being counted on and I need You to help me to stay accountable to what matters to You. Raise us up Lord and give us a heart for the lost. Help us reach out far more than we do. We are sinful creatures, questioning the almighty God and yet, I know that You hear us and are waiting for us to surrender to Your will. I surrender to You today and ask that no matter what giants come our way, You will crush them and grow us to be more faithful. I'm sure that there will be someone that reads this blog that will feel crushed. Remind them Lord that You are true to Your word. That You have stood the test of time and through Your life, death and resurrection, You are strong and faithful. I would ask of You to continue to grow us up and to give us the tools to be women for You. Make us strong where we are weak and guide us to You. I stand on the rock of salvation, believing that You are real and praying that You will show me the way, the truth and the light all my days. Please hold onto the women of this world that are in crisis and put people in their lives that will be faithful and true. I honor You today and pray that my soul will believe that all things are possible through You. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow....
I woke up this morning with a million things running through my mind. Yesterday, I wrote about thinking about God on a more regular basis, putting behind the minutia of life and really focusing on Him. Of course, I should wake up to think about all of it, instead of what I spoke of yesterday.
I asked lots of questions yesterday that none of us really have concrete answers too. We know that God exists, we believe He can heal and we know that someday He will return, beyond that, we know very little. Any wisdom, any idea, and every solution comes from Him. I had a great idea at work yesterday and I know it came from Him. I must look for Him in the darkness and the light. I must follow His word and seek Him. I must trust Him for all things and I must believe He is real!
I know that we all question from time to time what God is doing. I think it's part of who we are. I just wonder why we question it so much. I have read about the Israelites over and over again. I have read the New Testament and wondered how in the world they would have denied Christ and then, I sit and look at my life and all the questions I have asked and the conclusion is clear; we are all sinners. We want to know what God knows and we want to know the future. Guess what? That's never going to happen. We will know what we need to today.
I find myself feeling trapped on all sides. Thinking that I am the only one that can save so many and then I remember the words of Moses and David and realize that even with God on their side, they questioned, they pleaded and they doubted. No man is perfect and therefore, we must strive to understand who God is and what He expects from us.
When David was young, he, not an army, took down a giant. Then as he grew up, he was raised to love the Lord, to follow Him and to be king. As he aged, many trials came and I wonder how far slaying the giant was from his mind. You can read his prayers, see his turmoil and feel his loneliness and pain. He was a hunted man, living in caves, wondering if today would be his last. This very brave young man became a symbol of trial and tribulation and in the end he was said to have a heart for God.
I know that we struggle and I know that some of you live in places and circumstances that I can't even fathom. I'm sure you have cried out, hit something and wished for a day to be over. I've been there. I know how it feels to wonder where God is and to watch for a miracle only to have the sun rise and everything is the same. We can't change what's before us but we can prepare our hearts to be with Jesus, to call upon Him and to believe He is near.
There are things I pray for every day. I pray that I will never lose my children before I die. I pray for the lost and the lonely. I ask God to feed nations, protect women and bring about a revival. I pray that this land that we live in would begin to turn toward God and that people would see the need for Jesus. I pray for my brother's salvation and I pray that many would hear the word of God.
I pray continually and yet, I will never know what those prayers have done. I may meet you on a plane or in a different country and I will see you and pray for you. I watch the homeless and I ask God to care for them. I see birds flying and am reminded of the power of Christ. I know He exists and I believe it. What I will never know is what He's doing in this moment, have I done enough or what things He will say to me in the end. My goal is only to seek Him and to find Him. And as I do that my hope is that my faith will become boundless and I will run this race well.
Today is the 366 post on this blog. In the beginning I had no way to know what God would do with it. I still don't. I can tell you that every day that I write is a day I get closer to Jesus. I pray that you are blessed by the words but I have been blessed by God and at the end of my life; I will thank Him for giving me the strength to sit and write.
So today, remember whatever enemy is on your back, give it to Jesus. You may be feeling crushed, defeated and sad but know that Jesus knows and He is with you. Our greatest gift was His death. He crushed our enemy and someday He will stomp on Him and the pain of this world will go away. In the meantime, be faithful to His word, pray for the lost and ask God to make you women He can call upon. The highlight of my life is not the success I have in business; it's sitting here writing and praising my Maker! May God bless and keep you today! You are precious in His sight!
Psalm 5:3 NIV:
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV:
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I will never be able to thank You for the times You have cared for me. As I look upon today, I know there will be challenges. All I ask is that You are near to me and that Your words would penetrate my heart and mind. Help me capture the essence of You and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I am being counted on and I need You to help me to stay accountable to what matters to You. Raise us up Lord and give us a heart for the lost. Help us reach out far more than we do. We are sinful creatures, questioning the almighty God and yet, I know that You hear us and are waiting for us to surrender to Your will. I surrender to You today and ask that no matter what giants come our way, You will crush them and grow us to be more faithful. I'm sure that there will be someone that reads this blog that will feel crushed. Remind them Lord that You are true to Your word. That You have stood the test of time and through Your life, death and resurrection, You are strong and faithful. I would ask of You to continue to grow us up and to give us the tools to be women for You. Make us strong where we are weak and guide us to You. I stand on the rock of salvation, believing that You are real and praying that You will show me the way, the truth and the light all my days. Please hold onto the women of this world that are in crisis and put people in their lives that will be faithful and true. I honor You today and pray that my soul will believe that all things are possible through You. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow....
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
August 6, 2013
Good morning everyone-
I hope today finds you well. I've been trying to write on my iPad and I just realized I lost some of my last post. Oh, well, I guess that's what's good about being able to write anywhere. I've been thinking a lot about God lately. What did He mean when He said to wait upon Him? Why are there starving people in this world? Why do we need to have war? And what is our purpose? We keep screwing everything up and it has been going on for centuries. So why do we continue to go on?
I'm sure you have asked yourself these questions. They are a common theme not just in the Christian world but also in the secular world. How do you think war starts, suicide happens, and atrocities of unimaginable things happen to humans? They happen because our world has fallen and yet, God has not chosen to return for His people. Instead, He reigns over us and many have forgotten to wait upon Him. Even I, from time to time, get caught up in this world and not the things that are of Him. I'm human just like you and no matter how much I love our God, I fall. Writing it doesn't make me very happy but it's the truth.
Like you, I get caught up in my day to day things but every once in awhile I look up and see Christ in all His majesty. I wonder what He thinks of me and of this world that has continued to persecute Him and let Him down. Others may follow a so called god but we follow the only one with mercy, forgiveness, understanding and love. Why else would we still be here? If I were God, I'd probably crush this land. We really don't do very good things and we constantly cause headaches and we're selfish, self-absorbed, and overall very sinful people. And yet, we have a God that has pursued us, cherished us and has forgiven us, just writing this makes me pause and thank the Lord for all He has done for me.
I'm sure your life is full of the same chaos as mine. I'm sure you wish life would slow down so that you can breathe and I'm confident that every once in awhile you think about Christ and thank Him but I want to encourage you to put Christ at the beginning of your day and not at the end. He deserves for all of us to put Him first, even in the face of great adversity. I'm not always good at this either. As my job has gotten busier and full of responsibility this blog has taken a toll but every morning I do think about Christ and what He means to me. He is the most important part of my morning right along with that first cup of coffee. What would I have ever done without coffee? Anyway, I hope this encourages you to sit down and thank Him for today, pray for the less fortunate and love those around you. There are countries where young people are starving and men and women are homeless, let's be the light that Christ asks us to be and bring Him to them through prayer and giving.
May God be with You today my sisters as you seek Him. He is near and ready to hear from you. Be a light among the darkness and surrender your will unto His. He waits patiently, like a good shepherd, gently calling to move you toward safety. Take His hand today and let Him guide you.
James 5:8 NIV:
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
Colossians 2:9-10 NIV:
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
My prayer today:
O, Lord thank You for the wonder of You. I come to You today a mere human asking You to be with me in my daily life. Take my hand and walk with me through the desert and remind me of who You are. Lead me by still waters as I approach the swelling sea and guide me toward Your mighty hand. There are many problems all around the world and they stem from human selfishness, evil and lack of forgiveness. Take our agendas away and let us see what You see. Give us the wisdom to pray for our fellow man, to reach out across the sea to other countries and to other people groups. We are Yours to do Your will, make us great leaders, mothers, and mentors so that we can fulfill our purpose here on earth. Bring us to the brokenhearted, the lost and the lonely. Feed us daily with Your grace and power and make us women that love You more. We come today on bended knee, thanking You for saving us. We don't deserve Your love but we have it and we are blessed. By the power of the Holy Spirit I pray this prayer in Jesus Name.
Until tomorrow....
I hope today finds you well. I've been trying to write on my iPad and I just realized I lost some of my last post. Oh, well, I guess that's what's good about being able to write anywhere. I've been thinking a lot about God lately. What did He mean when He said to wait upon Him? Why are there starving people in this world? Why do we need to have war? And what is our purpose? We keep screwing everything up and it has been going on for centuries. So why do we continue to go on?
I'm sure you have asked yourself these questions. They are a common theme not just in the Christian world but also in the secular world. How do you think war starts, suicide happens, and atrocities of unimaginable things happen to humans? They happen because our world has fallen and yet, God has not chosen to return for His people. Instead, He reigns over us and many have forgotten to wait upon Him. Even I, from time to time, get caught up in this world and not the things that are of Him. I'm human just like you and no matter how much I love our God, I fall. Writing it doesn't make me very happy but it's the truth.
Like you, I get caught up in my day to day things but every once in awhile I look up and see Christ in all His majesty. I wonder what He thinks of me and of this world that has continued to persecute Him and let Him down. Others may follow a so called god but we follow the only one with mercy, forgiveness, understanding and love. Why else would we still be here? If I were God, I'd probably crush this land. We really don't do very good things and we constantly cause headaches and we're selfish, self-absorbed, and overall very sinful people. And yet, we have a God that has pursued us, cherished us and has forgiven us, just writing this makes me pause and thank the Lord for all He has done for me.
I'm sure your life is full of the same chaos as mine. I'm sure you wish life would slow down so that you can breathe and I'm confident that every once in awhile you think about Christ and thank Him but I want to encourage you to put Christ at the beginning of your day and not at the end. He deserves for all of us to put Him first, even in the face of great adversity. I'm not always good at this either. As my job has gotten busier and full of responsibility this blog has taken a toll but every morning I do think about Christ and what He means to me. He is the most important part of my morning right along with that first cup of coffee. What would I have ever done without coffee? Anyway, I hope this encourages you to sit down and thank Him for today, pray for the less fortunate and love those around you. There are countries where young people are starving and men and women are homeless, let's be the light that Christ asks us to be and bring Him to them through prayer and giving.
May God be with You today my sisters as you seek Him. He is near and ready to hear from you. Be a light among the darkness and surrender your will unto His. He waits patiently, like a good shepherd, gently calling to move you toward safety. Take His hand today and let Him guide you.
James 5:8 NIV:
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
Colossians 2:9-10 NIV:
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
My prayer today:
O, Lord thank You for the wonder of You. I come to You today a mere human asking You to be with me in my daily life. Take my hand and walk with me through the desert and remind me of who You are. Lead me by still waters as I approach the swelling sea and guide me toward Your mighty hand. There are many problems all around the world and they stem from human selfishness, evil and lack of forgiveness. Take our agendas away and let us see what You see. Give us the wisdom to pray for our fellow man, to reach out across the sea to other countries and to other people groups. We are Yours to do Your will, make us great leaders, mothers, and mentors so that we can fulfill our purpose here on earth. Bring us to the brokenhearted, the lost and the lonely. Feed us daily with Your grace and power and make us women that love You more. We come today on bended knee, thanking You for saving us. We don't deserve Your love but we have it and we are blessed. By the power of the Holy Spirit I pray this prayer in Jesus Name.
Until tomorrow....
Saturday, August 3, 2013
August 3, 2013
Good morning all-
I don't know about you but time is flying. I have definitely been put through my paces. It seems like there are challenges for everyone and if we look down for one minute we will lose focus on what's true.
Jesus Christ is real! That doesn't mean our lives will be easy. His wasn't but when He left this earth He promised to come back. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us and He provides wisdom when we seek it.
I have really been thinking about that lately. I left an easy job to come to the company I'm now at. For what? I wanted challenge and to be able to see an organization grow. During the last 120 days I have let someone go, hired two new people, watch my boss fall apart because our competition is trying to take us out and won a huge deal. Believe me I have questioned my sanity but then I always come back to the same place; does Christ exist and do I have a purpose? Of course my answer is yes! Now that doesn't mean I understand what He's doing in my life, it just provides me security knowing He is near.
Like I've said before, I'm not perfect and I have challenges. I wake up in the middle of the night or really early just like I did today. My mind is thinking about every problem and trying to get direction from God, that's the key though, I'm seeking Christ. I have too. He is as vital to my survival as food and water. I've thought many times this week I know why people drink a lot, especially executives. It's hard to build a company and ther are many more stresses than one would think. But then I look at Christ and remember He is building an army with stubborn, sinful people and I have to laugh about my circumstances because they just don't compare.
I find comfort in knowing I'm the least of these. I get why Paul wrote that and was so humble. He was a brilliant man with ambitions similar to those of men today. He believed He was right when He persecuted Christians and then one day He saw the light and it forever changed Him. How does a man humble himself? He identifies that Christ is the way and then watches Him as He works.
That's where I'm at today. The enemy is on my door. I don't have a lock down strategy to stay alive against my competitors but I do have Jesus and as long as I call on Him, He will right my path. Think about this as you go into your week. This just doesn't pertain to working women; it pertains to all women. Warriors are born and are given the gift of wisdom and power through Jesus Christ.
I don't know about you but time is flying. I have definitely been put through my paces. It seems like there are challenges for everyone and if we look down for one minute we will lose focus on what's true.
Jesus Christ is real! That doesn't mean our lives will be easy. His wasn't but when He left this earth He promised to come back. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us and He provides wisdom when we seek it.
I have really been thinking about that lately. I left an easy job to come to the company I'm now at. For what? I wanted challenge and to be able to see an organization grow. During the last 120 days I have let someone go, hired two new people, watch my boss fall apart because our competition is trying to take us out and won a huge deal. Believe me I have questioned my sanity but then I always come back to the same place; does Christ exist and do I have a purpose? Of course my answer is yes! Now that doesn't mean I understand what He's doing in my life, it just provides me security knowing He is near.
Like I've said before, I'm not perfect and I have challenges. I wake up in the middle of the night or really early just like I did today. My mind is thinking about every problem and trying to get direction from God, that's the key though, I'm seeking Christ. I have too. He is as vital to my survival as food and water. I've thought many times this week I know why people drink a lot, especially executives. It's hard to build a company and ther are many more stresses than one would think. But then I look at Christ and remember He is building an army with stubborn, sinful people and I have to laugh about my circumstances because they just don't compare.
I find comfort in knowing I'm the least of these. I get why Paul wrote that and was so humble. He was a brilliant man with ambitions similar to those of men today. He believed He was right when He persecuted Christians and then one day He saw the light and it forever changed Him. How does a man humble himself? He identifies that Christ is the way and then watches Him as He works.
That's where I'm at today. The enemy is on my door. I don't have a lock down strategy to stay alive against my competitors but I do have Jesus and as long as I call on Him, He will right my path. Think about this as you go into your week. This just doesn't pertain to working women; it pertains to all women. Warriors are born and are given the gift of wisdom and power through Jesus Christ.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
July 28, 2013
Good morning my sisters-
It's been a few days since I last sat down to write. I just can't seem to get up at 5:30 AM anymore and I leave for work at 7 so I am just going to start writing when I have at least 30 minutes, which just happens to be right now.
I took Friday off to be with my kids and it's been a great weekend. We went shopping, out to eat and drove to OKC to see if we could get some bargains. We laughed and I listened a lot as my sons and their cousins recanted stories and memories. Oh to be 17 again. It reminded me of days when my brothers and I would talk until we fell asleep. We were almost like one unit and our memories still remain. I have lost one of my brothers but every car ride and every moment remains in the vault fir me to pull up. No one can ever take that away from me.
During our drive, I got to talk to my son's girlfriend a lot and she reminded me of all the things I worried about at her age. The biggest one was growing up. I realize now looking back that we are a sum of our circumstances and every challenge got me to this point. I might have worried about my future and I know I worried about losing my loved ones but in the midst God was raising me up to be the woman I am today. Everything I have done has prepared me to help the next generation. Christ taught me how to walk and talk. He took me from a baby to a teen and now is raising me into being an adult. That might sound strange since I have a 23 year old and a 17 year old but I'm not talking about chronological age; I'm speaking abut Christian maturity. Going from being saved, into having a relationship and then walking that path while crossing the sea. That's what God does with us. He takes a babe and makes it into an adult by challenging us to look for Him in the unknown. And as you all know, there is more of that these days than the known, right?
Some things about life will change and others will be constantly in motion but one thing remains steadfast and that's Jesus. We will be born, grow up and perish but the legacy we leave will last for years to come. What we choose to learn here on earth will help another and living to glorify God will last long after we are gone. If you're searching for answers, worried about tomorrow or just contemplating tomorrow rely on Jesus, He has all the answers. God walked with Adam and Eve. He spoke to Moses on a mountain. He saved Isaac from being sacrificed and He chose you!
At the end of my life, I want to have memories filled with Jesus. This world is tough but He is true. Let Jesus in today and begin to experience God, so that future generations will know Him too. May God bless you and keep you today!
Job 11: 13-17NIV:
"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out our hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free from fault, you will lift up your faces; you will stand firm without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter by noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
My prayer today:
O, Lord thank You for the power of the Cross. Thank You for being steadfast in a world full of sin and thank You for choosing me and for taking the time to love me. I know what a wonderful parent You are. I can lay in my bed and pray and when I do I feel Your love for me. I am a sinner, which means I can try to be good but I will fail. For on my own no good deed can be done. However,with You by my side, I can mature and I can pursue to know You more. My thirst for You is like a man searching for water in the desert. I cry and You hear me. I sing and You are glorified. I sit at Your feet and You remain true. Today, I come before You asking You to raise my sisters to be one with You. We are the mothers and daughters fulfilling your covenant while teaching the next generation. Please help us Lord to be strong in You. Make us women that will cherish You above all things and give us the words to minister to those that need You most. I am so far from being perfect but I know who You are and every day I'm with You is another memory I cherish. I may not always do the right thing or say the right thing but in my heart I know I'm being refined by YOU. Thank You for taking the lost and making each one of us women that will move the next generation to know Your name! In Jesus Name, Amen
Until tomorrow...
It's been a few days since I last sat down to write. I just can't seem to get up at 5:30 AM anymore and I leave for work at 7 so I am just going to start writing when I have at least 30 minutes, which just happens to be right now.
I took Friday off to be with my kids and it's been a great weekend. We went shopping, out to eat and drove to OKC to see if we could get some bargains. We laughed and I listened a lot as my sons and their cousins recanted stories and memories. Oh to be 17 again. It reminded me of days when my brothers and I would talk until we fell asleep. We were almost like one unit and our memories still remain. I have lost one of my brothers but every car ride and every moment remains in the vault fir me to pull up. No one can ever take that away from me.
During our drive, I got to talk to my son's girlfriend a lot and she reminded me of all the things I worried about at her age. The biggest one was growing up. I realize now looking back that we are a sum of our circumstances and every challenge got me to this point. I might have worried about my future and I know I worried about losing my loved ones but in the midst God was raising me up to be the woman I am today. Everything I have done has prepared me to help the next generation. Christ taught me how to walk and talk. He took me from a baby to a teen and now is raising me into being an adult. That might sound strange since I have a 23 year old and a 17 year old but I'm not talking about chronological age; I'm speaking abut Christian maturity. Going from being saved, into having a relationship and then walking that path while crossing the sea. That's what God does with us. He takes a babe and makes it into an adult by challenging us to look for Him in the unknown. And as you all know, there is more of that these days than the known, right?
Some things about life will change and others will be constantly in motion but one thing remains steadfast and that's Jesus. We will be born, grow up and perish but the legacy we leave will last for years to come. What we choose to learn here on earth will help another and living to glorify God will last long after we are gone. If you're searching for answers, worried about tomorrow or just contemplating tomorrow rely on Jesus, He has all the answers. God walked with Adam and Eve. He spoke to Moses on a mountain. He saved Isaac from being sacrificed and He chose you!
At the end of my life, I want to have memories filled with Jesus. This world is tough but He is true. Let Jesus in today and begin to experience God, so that future generations will know Him too. May God bless you and keep you today!
Job 11: 13-17NIV:
"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out our hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free from fault, you will lift up your faces; you will stand firm without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter by noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
My prayer today:
O, Lord thank You for the power of the Cross. Thank You for being steadfast in a world full of sin and thank You for choosing me and for taking the time to love me. I know what a wonderful parent You are. I can lay in my bed and pray and when I do I feel Your love for me. I am a sinner, which means I can try to be good but I will fail. For on my own no good deed can be done. However,with You by my side, I can mature and I can pursue to know You more. My thirst for You is like a man searching for water in the desert. I cry and You hear me. I sing and You are glorified. I sit at Your feet and You remain true. Today, I come before You asking You to raise my sisters to be one with You. We are the mothers and daughters fulfilling your covenant while teaching the next generation. Please help us Lord to be strong in You. Make us women that will cherish You above all things and give us the words to minister to those that need You most. I am so far from being perfect but I know who You are and every day I'm with You is another memory I cherish. I may not always do the right thing or say the right thing but in my heart I know I'm being refined by YOU. Thank You for taking the lost and making each one of us women that will move the next generation to know Your name! In Jesus Name, Amen
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, July 25, 2013
July 25, 2013
Good morning sisters-
I've learned something new this week that I'm not really proud of. I have found myself several times this week thinking that the sky is falling. Haven't I been the one to write God is faithful? I know I have and that's what makes this confession so terribly difficult.
I have encouraged all of you to look up and to not look at the circumstances. I have quoted numerous scriptures relating to God's faithfulness and yet, this week I have found myself doubting. I'm so angry at myself as I write this because I know better. I told the Lord as I laid in bed worrying about things I can't control, how sorry I am for doubting His omnipotence. I know better and yet, I couldn't get the facts out of my head and relate them to what I know to be true. Jesus is faithful, how He goes about being faithful is really dependent on what He's doing in our lives. There are things we can count on like being saved by grace, being loved unconditionally and that His word holds true for all time and for all things. So why when an obstacle comes my way I feel complete dread, can't sleep and begin to fear? Probably because I needed to have the sand shift under my feet so He could build a foundation that won't crumble at the first sign of trouble.
I'm sure you can relate. And like me, I'm sure you hate when you doubt and fear. So last night, I worked out and as I was contemplating all the things I think I know; I made a decision to give it to God and to repent for my lack of trust. Even the sentence sounds bad. REALLY! I had to remind myself what kind of Savior I follow. I really don't deserve Christ at all. Thank goodness He loves me through myself.
Maybe me relaying all my misgivings and proclaiming that Jesus is all I need will help you get through today. I love Jesus and I thank Him with my whole heart. Anyone else would give up on me but not Jesus, He says He's there and I believe Him. Otherwise, there would be no reason for me to fall at all.
Be well today my sisters and thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus. He really loves you, even when your sinking. May He bless you and keep you today and may you share your failures while proclaiming His glory!
2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Proverbs 20:6 NIV:
Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank You for all that You do for me. Thank You for being one with us and for loving us even when we are on sand. Please take our feet and place them on solid ground. Give us a foundation that we can be sure of and help us to quiet our minds from doubt. We are weak vessels, always floundering and yet, you cover us and make us Yours. I am so grateful that You are in my life and I will forever love You because You loved a retch like me. I will never be able to proclaim You enough, love You more, or follow You as strongly as I like without You by my side. You are the reason I get up in the morning; You are the song I sing. Without You my life would be in ruin and I would wither away like the grains of sand. Thank You for working on me and making me a strong house, giving when the wind is too high and standing for one thing and one thing only, You. May You bless Your daughters today as we forge toward becoming more like You and thank You for changing my heart last night. You are the light in my darkness! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I've learned something new this week that I'm not really proud of. I have found myself several times this week thinking that the sky is falling. Haven't I been the one to write God is faithful? I know I have and that's what makes this confession so terribly difficult.
I have encouraged all of you to look up and to not look at the circumstances. I have quoted numerous scriptures relating to God's faithfulness and yet, this week I have found myself doubting. I'm so angry at myself as I write this because I know better. I told the Lord as I laid in bed worrying about things I can't control, how sorry I am for doubting His omnipotence. I know better and yet, I couldn't get the facts out of my head and relate them to what I know to be true. Jesus is faithful, how He goes about being faithful is really dependent on what He's doing in our lives. There are things we can count on like being saved by grace, being loved unconditionally and that His word holds true for all time and for all things. So why when an obstacle comes my way I feel complete dread, can't sleep and begin to fear? Probably because I needed to have the sand shift under my feet so He could build a foundation that won't crumble at the first sign of trouble.
I'm sure you can relate. And like me, I'm sure you hate when you doubt and fear. So last night, I worked out and as I was contemplating all the things I think I know; I made a decision to give it to God and to repent for my lack of trust. Even the sentence sounds bad. REALLY! I had to remind myself what kind of Savior I follow. I really don't deserve Christ at all. Thank goodness He loves me through myself.
Maybe me relaying all my misgivings and proclaiming that Jesus is all I need will help you get through today. I love Jesus and I thank Him with my whole heart. Anyone else would give up on me but not Jesus, He says He's there and I believe Him. Otherwise, there would be no reason for me to fall at all.
Be well today my sisters and thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus. He really loves you, even when your sinking. May He bless you and keep you today and may you share your failures while proclaiming His glory!
2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Proverbs 20:6 NIV:
Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
My prayer today:
O, Lord, thank You for all that You do for me. Thank You for being one with us and for loving us even when we are on sand. Please take our feet and place them on solid ground. Give us a foundation that we can be sure of and help us to quiet our minds from doubt. We are weak vessels, always floundering and yet, you cover us and make us Yours. I am so grateful that You are in my life and I will forever love You because You loved a retch like me. I will never be able to proclaim You enough, love You more, or follow You as strongly as I like without You by my side. You are the reason I get up in the morning; You are the song I sing. Without You my life would be in ruin and I would wither away like the grains of sand. Thank You for working on me and making me a strong house, giving when the wind is too high and standing for one thing and one thing only, You. May You bless Your daughters today as we forge toward becoming more like You and thank You for changing my heart last night. You are the light in my darkness! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, July 21, 2013
July 21,2013
Good morning my faithful sisters:
It has been a week since I last wrote and I have missed it so much. I traveled to California this week and got to participate in saving a vital account. What I realized as I did data entry for 3 days is that I don't like the job much but I appreciate those that do. I also realized that titles are nothing. Supporting your company, taking responsibility and partnering with people is what truly matters.
Many think that menial jobs are beneath them but once I read a book "God is my CEO." In that book it talked about management and how to lead like Jesus and that's exactly the leader I desire to be. Whether it's cleaning our offices or data entering returns, I want to participate because when our employees and other leaders see us do that we build credibility.
John came before Jesus to spread the word. He told of someone greater than himself that would grace the earth. He was an ordinary man doing ordinary things until the day he was called to describe the savior. Jesus also was ordinary. He was a carpenter that worked with His hands. He wasn't a prince or King. He wasn't wealthy or full of pride. He was an ordinary man who was destined to be the Son of God. I think about that a lot and I remind myself often that I must be humble and never fill my head with pride. Pride is the downfall of man. It was pride that kept the Pharisees from seeing the truth. It was humbleness that took ordinary people and made them children of God.
Eternity comes to man, not by who you are or what you do; it's by grace we are saved. There are religions that believe in heavenly levels . There are those out there that believe the harder you can work at being good the more you will receive. The truth is none of those things. You can't work your way to Heaven. Only through the Son of God can you enter eternity. One God, One level, One Savior!
John knew this and he was chosen to prepare the way. I'm sure many thought he was crazy. We know now that he wasn't. His destiny was set long before the hour of his birth. He would be the man to speak of one greater. He would be the one to baptize the Son of God.
If God chose John for such a task, what's He choosing you to do today? The least of these was the most important human being to ever walk the earth. He was homeless, a gypsy of sorts and yet through His life, we are saved! Carry that with you today and know that no matter where you live or what you do, you were chosen for this moment. May God be with you my sisters. I'm praying that He
takes the least of us and uses us to spread the good news.
John 1:12 NIV:
Yet to all who did receive Him, to those that believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-
My prayer today:
O, Lord guide the lost to a safe place of rest. Help them to see You. Give them the ability to humble themselves before Your throne so that they might know what we do. Give purpose to your people. Make us bold and humble. Take our pride and wash it with Your blood. We are at our best when we know that we can't do anything on our own. Today, I just want to thank You for lovin the least of us. We owe You our lives. May today be filled with You and the power of Your life on the lives of many. Thank You for the stories that remind us that by Your faithfulness we are saved. Grant us Your Holy presence today and take Your light all over the world! In Jesus Name we pray.
Until tomorrow...
It has been a week since I last wrote and I have missed it so much. I traveled to California this week and got to participate in saving a vital account. What I realized as I did data entry for 3 days is that I don't like the job much but I appreciate those that do. I also realized that titles are nothing. Supporting your company, taking responsibility and partnering with people is what truly matters.
Many think that menial jobs are beneath them but once I read a book "God is my CEO." In that book it talked about management and how to lead like Jesus and that's exactly the leader I desire to be. Whether it's cleaning our offices or data entering returns, I want to participate because when our employees and other leaders see us do that we build credibility.
John came before Jesus to spread the word. He told of someone greater than himself that would grace the earth. He was an ordinary man doing ordinary things until the day he was called to describe the savior. Jesus also was ordinary. He was a carpenter that worked with His hands. He wasn't a prince or King. He wasn't wealthy or full of pride. He was an ordinary man who was destined to be the Son of God. I think about that a lot and I remind myself often that I must be humble and never fill my head with pride. Pride is the downfall of man. It was pride that kept the Pharisees from seeing the truth. It was humbleness that took ordinary people and made them children of God.
Eternity comes to man, not by who you are or what you do; it's by grace we are saved. There are religions that believe in heavenly levels . There are those out there that believe the harder you can work at being good the more you will receive. The truth is none of those things. You can't work your way to Heaven. Only through the Son of God can you enter eternity. One God, One level, One Savior!
John knew this and he was chosen to prepare the way. I'm sure many thought he was crazy. We know now that he wasn't. His destiny was set long before the hour of his birth. He would be the man to speak of one greater. He would be the one to baptize the Son of God.
If God chose John for such a task, what's He choosing you to do today? The least of these was the most important human being to ever walk the earth. He was homeless, a gypsy of sorts and yet through His life, we are saved! Carry that with you today and know that no matter where you live or what you do, you were chosen for this moment. May God be with you my sisters. I'm praying that He
takes the least of us and uses us to spread the good news.
John 1:12 NIV:
Yet to all who did receive Him, to those that believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-
My prayer today:
O, Lord guide the lost to a safe place of rest. Help them to see You. Give them the ability to humble themselves before Your throne so that they might know what we do. Give purpose to your people. Make us bold and humble. Take our pride and wash it with Your blood. We are at our best when we know that we can't do anything on our own. Today, I just want to thank You for lovin the least of us. We owe You our lives. May today be filled with You and the power of Your life on the lives of many. Thank You for the stories that remind us that by Your faithfulness we are saved. Grant us Your Holy presence today and take Your light all over the world! In Jesus Name we pray.
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, July 14, 2013
July 13, 2013
Good morning sisters-
I have just brewed my coffee and thought it would be good if I would take some time and talk to my favorite people. It's about 7 am in Kansas and the earth has been drenched with a much needed rain. Our grass has become dry and our lawns are dying quickly. The temperature was over 100 degrees every day and the land really needed the drenching the Lord gave it.
It's amazing that the land needs God as much as we do. Right now, I can hear the birds chirping outside my door. You don't hear that a lot when the temperatures are that high. You also don't see them flying around. However, I did see a beautiful site yesterday when I opened the door to let my dogs out. There was a Monarch butterfly hopping from leaf to leaf and it was so astoundingly beautiful that I watched it for over 20 minutes.
God did this. He created this and He feeds this. He waters the earth, He shelters His people and He provides. The world needs Christ! Now if they would just let Him in! The birds know it, the animals know it, the trees, the fields and the skies know it. He calls, they hear. We are just the ones denying the fact that He exists and that we know everything.
This week has reminded me that God is Sovereign. It is His will and not mine. He is in control of my destiny and in the destiny of others. I had a business situation happen this week that could have been disastrous but I have a great leader in Christ. I had to get on a plane to come home and trust that He would work it out. My President and my God worked together as one and found an explanation that saved us completely. I am so grateful to God for the learning moment and because I gave it to Him. While I was 30,000 ft. above ground, God showed me that the power of this world is not in the hands of humans, it's in the hands of God. I'm thankful to my Father for showing me and helping me release my fears and put them on Him. He can carry them much better than I.
As I look upon the stats counter, I see that many women are starting to join us from all over the world. There are women from Chile, Ireland, Russia and Germany. Please pray for those women that are coming from every land, they are trying to follow God just like we are. There are more that I won't be able to reach through the computer, like those that live in China and North Korea. Countries are in turmoil and our missionaries are out there doing their jobs and loving God's people in difficult places. Please stay vigilant and if Christ puts someone on your heart please pray for them. They need your prayers. One person praying for many is great but 100 praying is even better!
I will be traveling this week but my plan is to write this week. I'm off to California so hopefully I will have Internet every place I am. Last week that was not the case so I didn't get as much writing done as I wished. Take care and know that I am thinking about you. Please put God in the driver seat this week. Give Him your worries, your fears and your praise! He is an awesome God full of glory, power and might. Use Him to conquer your demons and see what He does, not only in your life but for the creatures that live outside. It's amazing to watch as the earth is drenched in His majesty.
Ezekiel 34:31 NIV
You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am Your God declares the Sovereign Lord."
2 Samuel 7 NIV
And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant-and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
Amos 3:8
The lion has roared-
who will not fear?
The Sovereign Lord has spoken-
who can but prophesy?
My prayer today:
O, Lord thank You for the lessons You taught me this week. My mind was racing, my heart was pounding and all I could think of was the disaster that was to come. But then I calmed down, prayed and asked for Your guidance. I took Your Word as true and gave You everything. I surrendered my world and said, "Take it, it's not mine anyway!" You took it and You methodically gave the answers to my boss and to me. You were with us the whole way and I can't thank You enough for that. I am amazed by You and the power You have to change events that seem disastrous. There are many things going on in the world today. Events that can't be stopped by man. You have the power alone. I can't do anything without You and either can this world. The land in Kansas was dry and You made it rain. The earth shakes around the world and You calm it. People run around full of themselves and You transform them. We have no purpose far from You, so You come to us and give us purpose. We are Yours, mind, body and soul. Please guide us along this life, give us eyes to see and hearts to feel the mighty Spirit that was given to us upon Your death. We need You Lord to go before us, to make us one and to be there when times are tough. Be with my sisters today as they walk this earth, drench the lands, bring sun to the forests and food to the earth. We are nothing without You! Thank You for showing me that You are all I need! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I have just brewed my coffee and thought it would be good if I would take some time and talk to my favorite people. It's about 7 am in Kansas and the earth has been drenched with a much needed rain. Our grass has become dry and our lawns are dying quickly. The temperature was over 100 degrees every day and the land really needed the drenching the Lord gave it.
It's amazing that the land needs God as much as we do. Right now, I can hear the birds chirping outside my door. You don't hear that a lot when the temperatures are that high. You also don't see them flying around. However, I did see a beautiful site yesterday when I opened the door to let my dogs out. There was a Monarch butterfly hopping from leaf to leaf and it was so astoundingly beautiful that I watched it for over 20 minutes.
God did this. He created this and He feeds this. He waters the earth, He shelters His people and He provides. The world needs Christ! Now if they would just let Him in! The birds know it, the animals know it, the trees, the fields and the skies know it. He calls, they hear. We are just the ones denying the fact that He exists and that we know everything.
This week has reminded me that God is Sovereign. It is His will and not mine. He is in control of my destiny and in the destiny of others. I had a business situation happen this week that could have been disastrous but I have a great leader in Christ. I had to get on a plane to come home and trust that He would work it out. My President and my God worked together as one and found an explanation that saved us completely. I am so grateful to God for the learning moment and because I gave it to Him. While I was 30,000 ft. above ground, God showed me that the power of this world is not in the hands of humans, it's in the hands of God. I'm thankful to my Father for showing me and helping me release my fears and put them on Him. He can carry them much better than I.
As I look upon the stats counter, I see that many women are starting to join us from all over the world. There are women from Chile, Ireland, Russia and Germany. Please pray for those women that are coming from every land, they are trying to follow God just like we are. There are more that I won't be able to reach through the computer, like those that live in China and North Korea. Countries are in turmoil and our missionaries are out there doing their jobs and loving God's people in difficult places. Please stay vigilant and if Christ puts someone on your heart please pray for them. They need your prayers. One person praying for many is great but 100 praying is even better!
I will be traveling this week but my plan is to write this week. I'm off to California so hopefully I will have Internet every place I am. Last week that was not the case so I didn't get as much writing done as I wished. Take care and know that I am thinking about you. Please put God in the driver seat this week. Give Him your worries, your fears and your praise! He is an awesome God full of glory, power and might. Use Him to conquer your demons and see what He does, not only in your life but for the creatures that live outside. It's amazing to watch as the earth is drenched in His majesty.
Ezekiel 34:31 NIV
You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am Your God declares the Sovereign Lord."
2 Samuel 7 NIV
And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant-and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
Amos 3:8
The lion has roared-
who will not fear?
The Sovereign Lord has spoken-
who can but prophesy?
My prayer today:
O, Lord thank You for the lessons You taught me this week. My mind was racing, my heart was pounding and all I could think of was the disaster that was to come. But then I calmed down, prayed and asked for Your guidance. I took Your Word as true and gave You everything. I surrendered my world and said, "Take it, it's not mine anyway!" You took it and You methodically gave the answers to my boss and to me. You were with us the whole way and I can't thank You enough for that. I am amazed by You and the power You have to change events that seem disastrous. There are many things going on in the world today. Events that can't be stopped by man. You have the power alone. I can't do anything without You and either can this world. The land in Kansas was dry and You made it rain. The earth shakes around the world and You calm it. People run around full of themselves and You transform them. We have no purpose far from You, so You come to us and give us purpose. We are Yours, mind, body and soul. Please guide us along this life, give us eyes to see and hearts to feel the mighty Spirit that was given to us upon Your death. We need You Lord to go before us, to make us one and to be there when times are tough. Be with my sisters today as they walk this earth, drench the lands, bring sun to the forests and food to the earth. We are nothing without You! Thank You for showing me that You are all I need! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
July 9, 2013
Good morning all-
I'm on my way to beautiful Minnesota for meetings. I have to leave my beautiful family for 3 days and I'm just a little sad. You would think that as much as I've had to travel over the years I would get used to leaving them. I never do but soon they will leave me and then the pain of leaving them won't be so great.
I came home to a flurry of activity last night. It was a rough day at work. We are not winning some of the deals I thought we would and my brain keeps saying, can we win any of these? Of course we can and will. God will provide. He always does. I made a daring move coming to this company and I haven't even been there very long. I continue to pray that God would open doors that I can't get into and that I would be true to Him. I have to rely on Him for all things and quit thinking I can do anything.
I know I've talked about it numerous times on here but once again I find myself trying to rely on my own strength and not His. How many of His disciples have gone down that path? I can think of quite a few but always people come to the same decision I have, HE IS IN CONTROL. Now all I have to do is remember it and let Him lead me down the road He has chosen. It's hard for me. I think I can control things but I can't. I need to be patient and wait on Him and when I do wait on Him, then I know all the glory belongs to Him. He is the master of my direction, even when I think I am.
I wonder if any of you are going through the same struggle. Do you think you have control over more than what you really do? Do you sit and say this is mine to take care of? I do it all the time. I get frustrated and full of worry and then I come to the same conclusion every time, give this to Jesus and He will decide what to do with me.
I feel blessed to have a Savior that watches over me and that directs me. I am blessed to have a safe haven to go to and to surrender all my worries. I even feel blessed when there are things I don't understand but I know He will eventually show me why they were what they were. I need Him to direct my thoughts, my feelings and my path. I'm so lost without Him. I've tried it both ways and always the best way is to have Christ lead me, take care of me and surround me. Everything else dulls in comparison.
If you have been struggling with what happens tomorrow, give it to Christ. He knows the way long before you get there. I know because every minute that I have worried has been a minute lost. After I have surrendered and let Him take the wheel, my outlook is so much better. I hope you give Him your troubles today, those nagging negative thoughts that destroy your day and then, rest in Him. He's waiting and He has a lot more time than you do.
As always, my prayers are with you my sisters. I pray that this blog is a blessing to your life and I pray that God is using it to minister to those that need Him. May God bless you and keep you today and may you find Him right where you live. I'm praying for you and I thank you for anyone that prays for me.
Psalm 33:20 NIV:
We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, let us surrender everything to You. Give us the strength to get out of our own way and put you as our number 1 priority. Make our outlook on life shine with the knowledge that You are in control of everything and that we are in Your control. Take our independence and make it dependent on You for everything. I love You Lord with all my heart and soul. I come to You a new woman full of hope for today and not the despair that I felt yesterday. You are my Lord and I seek You for all things. Go before us today, protect us and keep us. Please forgive our sins and help us all rely more on You. One of my greatest sins is that I rely on myself far to much. Take care of my sisters as they come before You and unite women all over the world. We can't do it on our own but You can. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
I'm on my way to beautiful Minnesota for meetings. I have to leave my beautiful family for 3 days and I'm just a little sad. You would think that as much as I've had to travel over the years I would get used to leaving them. I never do but soon they will leave me and then the pain of leaving them won't be so great.
I came home to a flurry of activity last night. It was a rough day at work. We are not winning some of the deals I thought we would and my brain keeps saying, can we win any of these? Of course we can and will. God will provide. He always does. I made a daring move coming to this company and I haven't even been there very long. I continue to pray that God would open doors that I can't get into and that I would be true to Him. I have to rely on Him for all things and quit thinking I can do anything.
I know I've talked about it numerous times on here but once again I find myself trying to rely on my own strength and not His. How many of His disciples have gone down that path? I can think of quite a few but always people come to the same decision I have, HE IS IN CONTROL. Now all I have to do is remember it and let Him lead me down the road He has chosen. It's hard for me. I think I can control things but I can't. I need to be patient and wait on Him and when I do wait on Him, then I know all the glory belongs to Him. He is the master of my direction, even when I think I am.
I wonder if any of you are going through the same struggle. Do you think you have control over more than what you really do? Do you sit and say this is mine to take care of? I do it all the time. I get frustrated and full of worry and then I come to the same conclusion every time, give this to Jesus and He will decide what to do with me.
I feel blessed to have a Savior that watches over me and that directs me. I am blessed to have a safe haven to go to and to surrender all my worries. I even feel blessed when there are things I don't understand but I know He will eventually show me why they were what they were. I need Him to direct my thoughts, my feelings and my path. I'm so lost without Him. I've tried it both ways and always the best way is to have Christ lead me, take care of me and surround me. Everything else dulls in comparison.
If you have been struggling with what happens tomorrow, give it to Christ. He knows the way long before you get there. I know because every minute that I have worried has been a minute lost. After I have surrendered and let Him take the wheel, my outlook is so much better. I hope you give Him your troubles today, those nagging negative thoughts that destroy your day and then, rest in Him. He's waiting and He has a lot more time than you do.
As always, my prayers are with you my sisters. I pray that this blog is a blessing to your life and I pray that God is using it to minister to those that need Him. May God bless you and keep you today and may you find Him right where you live. I'm praying for you and I thank you for anyone that prays for me.
Psalm 33:20 NIV:
We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, let us surrender everything to You. Give us the strength to get out of our own way and put you as our number 1 priority. Make our outlook on life shine with the knowledge that You are in control of everything and that we are in Your control. Take our independence and make it dependent on You for everything. I love You Lord with all my heart and soul. I come to You a new woman full of hope for today and not the despair that I felt yesterday. You are my Lord and I seek You for all things. Go before us today, protect us and keep us. Please forgive our sins and help us all rely more on You. One of my greatest sins is that I rely on myself far to much. Take care of my sisters as they come before You and unite women all over the world. We can't do it on our own but You can. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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